｡♥  OH, ROCKY !

        Wherever you’re comfortable. Rocky climbs into the tank- the metal of the ladder feels somehow distant even in his white-knuckled grasp, but it’s just a few steps. He manages. Inside, he huddles to the floor, leaning against its cold rainbow wall. It had seemed so much warmer here before- or perhaps he’s just going numb now. But no, he feels Frank’s touch on his thigh- so light, now that it’s not weighted down by the hunger Rocky is so used to. He stirs in response, looking up to meet Frank’s eyes still so striking in halos of teary glitter. Things seem less chaotic now, now that he’s here one step away from it all; he lays his hand over Frank’s, hesitancy giving way to desperate affection.

        At Frank’s request, he tears away the corset- as well-made as the garment is, the laces give easily to the creature’s tug. Underneath, the skin and flesh seems undamaged, still as flawless as the day he was made (except oh, wait, it still was the day he was made, wasn’t it), but when he runs a shaking hand over his own side, the flare of PAIN almost makes him bite through his tongue. Still, he breathes in, breathes out, and attempts- despite everything- a shaky sort of smile.

        “…No blood.” Words are starting to come back more easily, now that he’s in a safer place. “There’s that, at least?” After all, it would be a shame if all the good doctor’s hard work were to be defaced.

       _{the doctor frowns deeply   –   is the tank the one place rocky feels truly SAFE   ?   fingertips brush thoughtlessly up   &   down where they’ve come to rest,   upon rocky’s warm,   absolutely spotless skin.   frank’s heart SWELLS when rocky’s hand is clasped delicately over his own.   ‘   oh,   rocky,   ’   he sighs,   perhaps for the thousandth time this evening.   ‘   –   how i love you.   ’   immediately,   the doctor examines the patch of skin he IMAGINES will be awfully wounded   :   except,   of course,   IT ISN’T.}

      _{‘   well,   yes.   but you’re in such pain.   ’   with a glance downward at his little potions,   frank huffs.   ‘   –   we can’t have THAT,   can we,   baby   ?   ’   the doctor hums a single note before his eyes fall upon the creation’s once more.   ‘   i think   –   maybe   –   since there isn’t quite a wound to be dressed,   my love,   we’ll put you to bed.   you ought to rest,   anyhow   ;   you’ll find that,   oftentimes,   respite is the most EFFECTIVE of all remedies.   ’   &   with a soft,   morose simper,   frank holds out his hand once more.   ‘   come now.   ’}

      _{frank will handle the servants,   wherever they may be,   himself.   he needn’t put his creature through any more BARBARITY,   he decides   ;   he needn’t risk rocky obtaining a wound that certainly WOULD bleed.}